Norway's Olympic champion Andre Sondral roared for a rink record in the 1,500 meters Saturday as the speed skating World Cup season opened here in Inzell, Germany.

Sondral finished in one minute and 49.33 seconds to break the mark set by Dutchman Rintje Ritsma of 1:50.20.

Two Dutchman also finished behind Sondral in the 1,500, with Jan Bos at 1:50.49 and Ids Postma at 1:50.50.

Local favorite Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann narrowly missed eclipsing the course record in the 3,000 meters of 4:09.48, finishing in 4:09.86.

Niemann-Stirnemann, who wrecked her skates when she hit a stone just before the race, managed to sharpen them in time to easily beat fellow German Claudia Pechstein at 4:11.93.

Before the race, the International Speed Skating Union delayed testing for the drug EPO that was planned until a debate is settled about limits allowed.

Following are results Saturday from the Speedskating World Cup tournament in Inzell, Germany:

Men's 1,500 meters

1. Adne Sondral, Norway, 1 minute, 49.93 seconds

2. Jan Bos, Netherlands, 1:50.49

3. Ids Postma, Netherlands, 1:50.50

4. Kevin Marshall, Canada, 1:50.98

5. Gianni Romme, Netherlands, 1:51.63

6. Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands, 1:51.75

Women's 3,000 meters

1. Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, Germany, 4:09.86

2. Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 4:11.93

3. Renate Groenewold, Netherlands, 4:13.70

4. Anni Friesinger, Germany, 4:18.33

5. Maki Tabata, Japan, 4:19.43

6. Jennifer Rodriguez, United States, 4:20.26